Feature: Ladies First – Female DJ’s making an Impact

It’s been a while but Urban Amore is improving to make sure that you get the most for your viewing pleasure. We brought back special features in which we interview the people you enjoy listening to the most.
It’s not only the males that are spinning “two turntables and a microphone” the ladies have been on the scene and their presence hasn’t been unnoticed.
Here are some of the female DJ’s making noise on the radio, web and clubs. If you didnt notice them now then you better wake up.

DJ Si Vu Play
Natasha Stewart
@ DeejaySiVuPlay
Genre: Whatever sounds funky
Tagline: Flava Infinite | Your Favorite Female DJ
What encouraged you to be a dj?
My love of music is immeasurable and if you can imagine, I did everything surrounding music back in the day, including disturb people when I played it. Eventually I was told I should just be a DJ … they were kinda like….Give it up girl…we’re tired. But I took it seriously and here I am.
What was it like performing your first set in front of a crowd?
A plethora of emotions. I didn’t know I was going to DJ that night. Its the classic story of a good friend signing you up for an open mic and not telling you…you know 8 Mile. It was Motion…a female MC from Toronto. She just told me to walk with my records to an open mic event she was performing at. I thought she needed to use them, possibly to give to the DJ playing that night for her performance. Long story short, Someone called my name to the stage, I was like WTF!! I played from the heart, never looked up at the crowd all night (Fear! aha), and got the greatest feeling from their appreciation of my selections.
Who is a DJ you dream of playing with?
I’d like to play with Beverly Bond. I respect her work ethic and mass appeal.
What advise do you have for aspiring DJ’s?
Stay focused and have fun! Also, Haters mean you are unique and unstoppable.

DJ MelBoogie
@djmelboogie
Genre: All genres (I’m a DJ!!!)
Tagline: Canada’s Ambassador – I deal with a lot of promoters, label peeps and DJs from outside of Canada and ALWAYS rep for Canadian artists, but of course I have a special place in my heart for the T-Dot!!!
What encouraged you to be a DJ?
Growing up listening to Ron Nelson on The Fantastic Voyage (on CKLN 88.1FM). Plus my dad bought my brother and I our own turntables so we wouldn’t touch his stuff!! It just grew from there – started taking it seriously in highschool and got on radio once I started @ York in ‘93. Been doing it ever since…
What was it like performing your first set in front of a crowd?
Really nerve-wracking, but once I got into it and saw the crowd was responding it was fantastic.
Who is a DJ you dream of playing with?
I don’t really think there is one – I would love to meet Jazzy Joyce and Spinderella. I’d much prefer to go on tour with an artist, opening for them and connecting with the crowd.
What advice do you have for aspiring DJ’s?
Be open to listening to and playing all genres – be a lover of music.
- Develop your own style of playing.
- Being a DJ is more than just playing music and rockin’ a party. You have to learn to think of yourself as a brand (something I’m now learning how to do myself!!) plus be very good at what you do.

Tasha Rozez
@TashaRozez
Genre: Reggae/Dancehall
Tagline: Rozez says” Bill” ( Bill means to be productive- To BUILD)
What encouraged you to be a DJ?
Wanting to have my own dubs..
What was it like performing your first set in front of a crowd?
I used to get nervous and throw up…right before I played …lol..like Emniem.
Who is a DJ you dream of playing with?
Umm..I have played with many dj’s, selectors and sounds.. I have played numerous times with Bass Odyssey Sound, but never with Squingy….that was always a dream of mine, for us to mash up a dance together.
What advise do you have for aspiring DJ’s?
Music is a mission not a competition. Never play music to prove only play music so people can grooveee….Self praise is no recommendation.

Christina Di Flaviano
DJ Queen of Spades
@djqueenofspades
Genre: I play everything! lol hip hop, r’n'b, soca, reggae, house, ol skool, retro
Tag line: Canada’s Most Versatile Female DJ
What encouraged you to be a DJ?
I grew up with music around me all the time. There are no words to describe how much i love music. I actually grew up dancing, but in 1996 I met a friend; Stasia and she was into dj’ing as a hobby. So, she introduced me to that aspect. I started going to the record stores with her (big up to Traxx,Play De Record,De Music Library,Bad Lad etc…), buying records and practicing at her house in the basement. And, it was jus something that grew on me. I ended up buying my own turntables, teaching myself to mix and as they say….that’s all she wrote! lol if you asked me 14 years ago if i would still be doing this today, i probably would have said no! hahahahaha But, when you are this passionate about something,
What was it like performing your first set in front of a crowd?
I dj’d at many events, clubs, bbq’s and parties before this, but my first official party as a “serious dj” was in December of 2006. It was at Tangerine and i was spinning with Jr Flo. I wasn’t on serato yet, so i brought my crates (don’t laugh, i love my vinyl…lol) and was trying to set up. Well, there wasn’t a cord or something that was needed for me to use my vinyl, so Jr Flo said to just use his stuff. Up to this point i hadn’t used serato that much yet, so u can imagine how nervous i was. And, for people who don’t know Jr Flo, he is a turntablist DMC scratch champ….. So, i asked him where the BPM setting was for his music. Hi response “i don’t use that feature” So, to make a long story short, i was sweating bullets the entire time i was playing. I can even remember a tear or two…..LOL Needless to say, it wasn’t long after that, i had my own serato and laptop.
Who is a DJ you dream of playing with?
Wow, there are so many dj’s i would love to play alongside, but my dream one would have to be Spinderella. I’ve been a huge Salt ‘n’ Pepa fan forever and i remember seeing her and thought she was amazing. Even though my dream back then wasn’t to be a DJ, she was still a huge influence. And now, with DJ’ing being my passion, she’s mos def one of the one’s I look up up to the most. Other’s I would love to spin alongside; DJ Jazzy Jeff, Funkmaster Flex, Kid Capri, DJ Self, DJ Jazzy Joyce, Cocoa Chanelle.
What advise do you have for aspiring DJ’s?
I always have up and coming dj’s ask me for advice and the main thing i always tell them; do it for the love, not the hype! It’s not an easy thing to do. Just because you can mix, doesn’t mean you’re a DJ. It takes 100% determination, dedication, passion and focus. And, for the female dj’s that come to me, i tell them never get discouraged. We are in a male dominated field and if you can break even one barrier, then you can do anything. Know what it’s about and always be one step ahead of the game.
Dont forget to listen to The Royal Treatment Mixshow, Every Saturday from 1-3pm http://www.globe-radio.com



